Milk line flushing system and valve mechanism and regulator therefor



Aug. l0, 1954 A, HECKENDORF 2,685,884

MILK LINE FLUSHING SYSTEM AND VALVE MECHANISM AND REGULATOR THEREFOR Filed April 7, 1953 kggi. 5g 11 20 m C* F30 Zi Patented Aug. 10, 1954 Prem' OFFICE MILK LINE FLUSHING SYSIEIYIV AND VALVE` .MECHANISM AND REGULATOR THEREFOR Howard A. Heclrendorf, Chicago, Ill., assignor .to

International Harvester Company, 'a vcorporation of New Jersey Application April fz, 1953, se'riarNo. 347,255

13 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a flushing and cleaning system of a type used in connection with a pipeline milking system. More specifically this invention relates to a vacuum and air regulating device adapted for use in connection with the flushing mechanism of a pipeline milker.

Inthe dairy industry the use of pipeline inilkers has greatly increased. In a pipeline milker the milk is directed from the teat cups through a pipeline under vacuum which is connected to a series of milk cans under a minus pressure, these cans receiving the milk without exposure of the same to the atmosphere. A system of this type is exceedingly efficient in curtailing the growth oi bacteria since it is what may be sailed a closed pipeline arrangement. To further the elimination of possible contamination it is necessary to periodically cleanse and sterilize the milk pipeline. In order to effect a positive cleaning of the line it is desirable to pass a cleansing solutionr back and forth through the pipeline a successive number of times. In order to reduce the time and labor requirements during the milking operation it is also desirable to effect this cleansing and flushing of the pipeline with a minimum of effort on part of thevoperator. One Way to accomplish eiective cleansing of the milk line is to connect one end of each line to aclosed milk can or similar container. One of the cans is then substantiallyV filled witha cleansing solution and each of the cans is` connected by means of suitable V.conduits to a source of vacuum. By subjecting each can alternately to vacuum and air -it-is possible to .draw the :cleansing solution through the pipeline vfrom one container to the other and to reverse this operation. Various control devices such as pulsating units lhave been ed in the system to control the vacuum and air which is alternately supplied to eachoi the containers. It iis-a prime object of this invention to provide an impro d vacuumand air regulating' device which isfpositrve and effective in operation and which requires a minimum of attention on part of the .operator during operation.

.Another object otthis invention is to provide .pipeline inilkers, the device ,includinga cam D `having a reciprocating valve plunger, the plungerY :being arranged. in-responseto vacuum to aiterriateiy supply vacuum-and air conduits leading to containers containing a washing solution.

.ft-more specific ohiect'is izo-provide lan improved l CL .animprcveci Vacuum and regulating device Vfor y.use in connection with-aflushing system or having a vacuum chamber adapted tone connected to a source of Vacuum, the casing further including a reciprocating valve plunger having channels in communication with vacuum, and channels in communication with air, the plunger seing movable axially and rotatably by vacuum within the casing whereby the channels are adapted to alternately direct vacuum and air to the vacuum and air connections leading to the cans of the iiushing system.

still further specific object is the provision .of an improved vacuum and air regulating device including a casing having a reciprocatingand rotating plunger, the plunger including vacuum and atmosphere channels .adapted toconnect to vacuum and air connectionsduring operation, the plunger being moved in `an axial direction and simultaneously rotated in response to vacuum within the casing, and` including aV recessed cam trackwhich is engaged by a camfollower onthe casing whereby during axial movement of the plunger said-camming arrangement is effective to rotate said plunger.

These 'and 'further specific .objects will eccome more readily apparent Vfrom a reading of the specication when examinediin connection with the sheet of drawing.v

In the drawing:

Figure l is a side elevationalview of a flushing system for flushing the pipeline of a milking unit,

the 'fiushingsystem beingV connected to an iinprovecl vacuum and air'regul'ating device; YFigure 2 is a View partly in cross-section of a vacuum and regulating device embodying the novel features of the invention;

Figure, 3 vis a .cross-sectional viewA taken along `.the line :2i-3.0i VFigure 24 Figure 4 isa cross-sectional View taken along the line 4 4 of'Figure 2; and

Figure 5 isha developed'lelevational View or 'a portion of a' plunger showing the arrangement of recessed Y channels and .a circumferentially. `extending cam track.

Referring now particularly ,to Figure 1,A a iiushing device 'or system isgenerally designated hy `thefreference character le. The ushing device 'it includes a pair of laterally spaced milk cans Y "Il and l2.; The cans H and l2 mayof course,

1 consist Aof any. y'suitable containers but since the Y device is primarily utilized for iiushing the pipelinev ota milkingsystem `it is convenientto use vthe `corwentional:type of milk can. The cans Il l2 aregprovidedrwith ,suitable covers or clo- ,suremembers--i uandJ. A-pipeline f between @thecans I l and -l 2., .The pipelineA I5 nort extends mally carries the milk from the teats of the animal directly to a series of cans provided for the purpose. The milking machine elements have not been included in the disclosures since the present invention relates primarily to the iiushing arrangement. The milk line |5 is connected by means of elbows |6 and |1 to vertical pipes I8 and i9. The pipes I8 and |9 extend respectively into the cans and l2 and terminate adjacent the bottom of said cans.

Vacuum and air conduits and 2| are respectively connected to the cans and l2 as indicated at 22 and 23. A vacuum and air regulating device or control valve is generally indicated by the reference character 24.

The vacuum and air regulating device 24 comprises a cylindrical casing 25. The casing 25 is provided with an elongated axially extending bore 26. The upper end of the bore 26 forms a vacuum chamber 21. means 28 is in communication with the chamber 21. The casing 25 is provided with laterally extending vacuurn and air connections or nipples 29 and 30.

A valve plunger 3l as best indicated in Figure 2 is reciprocally positioned within the bore 26. The valve plunger 3| includes a vertically extending vacuum passage 32 which is in communication with the vacuum chamber 21. A pair of oppositely disposed recessed vacuum channels 33 are provided in the valve plunger 3|. The vacuum channels 33 are circumferentially spaced with respect to each other and extend axially within the plunger 3|. The developed view Figure 5 clearly shows the channels 33 and their relationship to other portions of the plunger. Each of the vacuum channels 33 includes an upper channel portion 34 which is connected by a laterally extending bore 35. The lower end of each channel 33 is provided with a laterally offset lower portion 36. The portion 36 as best shown in Figure 5, is laterally offset or spirally offset with respect to the upper channel portion 34 for a reason which will presently become more apparent. The plunger 3| is also provided with a pair of recessed air channels 31, these air channels 31 being disposed between the vacuum channels 33, and being circumferentially spaced with respect thereto. Each recessed air channel 31 is provided with an upper channel portion 38 and a lower channel portion 39. The lower channel portion 39 is laterally spaced or spirally disposed with respect to the upper channel portion 38. The lower channel portions 39 are connected by a laterally extending bore 4|). The bore 4|) is in communication with a vertically extending air passage 4| which is provided in the plunger 3| and an extension thereof 42, the air passage opening outwardly to the atmosphere. A biasing member or weight 43 is suitably connected to the extension 42.

As best indicated in Figures 2 and 5 the plunger 3| is provided with a recessed cam track 44. The cam track 44 is provided with a plurality of diagonal and parallel grooves 45 which are connected by means of diagonal and parallel grooves 46, the connection being to form an irregular or sawtooth pattern extending circumferentially around the peripheral surface of the plunger 3|. The grooves 45 and 46 are connected by means of upper and lower groove extensions 41 and 48 respectively. The groove extensions 41 are laterally offset with respect to apices 49 dening portions of the cam track 44. Likewise, the groove extensions 48 are laterally offset with respect to apices A vacuum connecting 5|! defining extensions of the cam track. A cam follower or pin 5|, as shown in Figure 2, is suitably connected rigidly to the casing 25, the cam follower 5| engaging the recessed cam track 44. The plunger 3|, as shown in Figure 2, is engageable with a stop 5| positioned on the casing 25 for limiting the downward movement of the plunger 3 l As shown in Figure l the vacuum connecting means 28 is connected to a pipe arrangement 52 which in turn is in operative connection with a vacuum pump 53 suitably driven by a power unit 54.

In the position of the regulating device 24 shown in Figure 2 the can is subject to atmospheric pressure and the can l2 is under vacuum. Thus, a washing` or cleansing solution which is present in the container i is now drawn through the pipeline l5 into the container i2 thus flushing the pipeline l5. In the position indicated in Figure 2, the air channel 31 is in communication with the connection 2E! which is in communication with the conduit 2D. Air from the channel or passage 4i enters through the lateral bore lill and into the channel 31 for communication with the connection 2 The chamber 2l is of course continually under vacuum and this vacuum is also present in the passage 32 and channel 33. Since one or" the channels 33 as indicated in Figure 3 is in communication with the connection 30 vacuum is applied to the conduit 2| and the interior of the can l2.

This condition which is now present must of course exist until all of the washing liquid has been removed from the can il to the can i2. Vacuum within the vacuum chamber 21 is now effective to cause movement of the plunger 3i upwardly carrying the weight 43 also in the upe ward direction. The cam follower 5! as indicated in Figure 2 is disposed in cam track 154. Since the groove extensions are laterally offset with respect to the apices 43, upward movement of the plunger 3| causes the cam follower il to travel in the groove 45 thereupon rotating the plunger 3| in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 2. The channels 33 and 3? have their lower portions 35 and 33 spirally offset so that communication is maintained between the channels 33 and 3i and the connections 29 and 3G despite the rotation and upward axial movement of the plunger 3i. The plunger 3i moves upwardly in response to the vacuum existing withn in the chamber 21 for the full length oi the bore 26. It is held in this position until all of the liquid has been removed from the container to the container ii?. When this happens air rushes through the pipe i8, the pipe i5 and into the container i2 whereupon the vacuum within the container Z, the conduit 2| and the ci .naher 21 is materially reduced. The weight is now effective to bias they plunger 3| to its downward position in engagement with the stop 5|. Dur ing the downward movement of the plunger 3|, the cam follower 5i by virtue of the offset relae tionship between the groove extension 48 and the apices Eil, is ecctive to enter into one of the grooves 45 thus continuing the rotation of the plunger 3l in the direction of the arrow as shown in Figure 2. The plunger 3| is now moved so that the vacuum and air connection 29, which was previously in connection with one of the air channels 31, is now in communication with one of the vacuum channels 33 and vacuum is now applied to the conduit Eil and to the can H. Likewise, the vacuum and air connection 3U is and air conduits being adapted to alternately connect to a source of vacuum and the atmosphere; a vacuum and air regulating device comprising a cylindrical casing having an elongated bore open at its upper and lower ends, vacuum connecting means adapted to connect the upper open end of said bore to a source of vacuum, the lower open end of said bore continually communicating with the atmosphere, a first vacuum and air connection on said casing adapted to communicate with said iirst vacuum and air conduit, a second vacuum and air connection adapted to connect with said second vacuum and air conduit, a valve plunger reciprocably positioned within said elongated bore, said plunger having an open end axially extending vacuum passage in continual communication with said vacuum connesting means, said plunger including an axially extending air passage open to the atmosphere at its lower end, said plunger including a laterally extending passage in communication with the air passage and opening outwardly of said plunger, a plurality of recessed vacuum channels provided in the outer peripheral surface of said valve plunger, said channels being circumferentially spaced with respect to each other, extending axially with respect to said plunger and having rst upper end portions in continual communication With said vacuum passage, said vacuum channels having rst lower end portions oiset laterally with respect to said iirst upper end portions of said vacuum channels, a plurality of air channels provided in the outer periphery of said valve plunger, said air channels being circumferentially spaced with respect to each other, extending axially with respect to said plunger, having second upper end portions and second lower end portions in continual communication with said air passage, said second lower end portions being laterally offset with respect to said second upper end portions, means for rotating said valve plunger during reciprocation thereof whereby said air and vacuum channels are alternately connected to said rst and second vacuum and air connections, said means comprising a saw-'tooth shaped cam track recessed in the outer peripheral surface of said plunger, said cam track including an irregular camming surface extending circumferentially coextensive with the peripheral surface, and a pin connected to said casing and en-y gaging said camming surface of cam track, said plunger being rotated during reciprocation in response to the movement of said camming surface relative to said pin.

4. For a pipeline flushing device including rst and second containers, a pipeline to be iiushed connected to said containers, and iirst and second vacuum and air conduits respectively connected to said iirst and second containers, said vacuum and air conduits being adapted to alternately connect to a source of vacuum and the atmosphere; a vacuum Aand air regulating device comprising a cylindrical casing having an elongated bore open at its upper and lower ends, vacuum connecting means adapted to connect the` upper open end of said bore to a source of vacuum, the lower open end of said bore continually communicating with the atmosphere, a rst vacuum and air connection on said casing adapted to communicate with said iirst vacuum and air conduit, a second vacuum and air connection adapted to connect with said second vacuum and air conduit, a valve plunger reciprocably positioned within said elongated bore, said plunger having an open end axially extending vacuum passage in continual communication with said vacuum connecting means, said plunger including an axially extending air passage open to the atmosphere, a plurality of recessed vacuum channels provided in the outer peripheral surface of said valve plunger, said channels being circumferentially spaced with respect to each other, extending axially with respect to said plunger and having iirst upper end portions in continual communication with said vacuum passage, said vacuum channels having first lower end portions offset laterally with respect to said rst upper end portion of said vacuum channels, a plurality of air channels provided in the outer periphery of said valve plunger, said air channels being circumferentially spaced with respect to each other, extending axially with respect to said plunger, andvhaving second upper end portions and second lower end portions in continual communication with said air passage, said second lower end portions being laterally oilset with respect to said second upper end portions, means for rotating said valve plunger during reciprocation thereof whereby said air and vacuum channels are alternately connected to said rst and second vacuum and air connections, said means comprising a saw-tooth shaped cam track recessed in the outer peripheral surface of said plunger, said cam track including an irregular camming surface extending circumferentially coextensive with the peripheral surface and cam follower means connected to said casing and engaging said camming surface of cam track, said plunger being rotated during reciprocation in response to the movement of said camming surface relative to said follower means.

5. For a pipeline flushing device including first and second containers, a pipeline to be ushed connected to said containers, and first and second vacuum and air conduits respectively connected to said rst and second containers, said vacuum and air conduits being adapted to alternately connect to a source of vacuum and atmosphere; a vacuum and air regulating device comprising a cylindrical casing having an elongated bore, vacuum connecting means adapted to connect one end of said bore to a source of vacuum, said bore having its other end in communication'with the atmosphere, a iirst vacuum and air connection on said casing adapted to communicate with said rst conduit, a second vacuum and air connection adapted to communicate with said second conduit, a valve plunger positioned for reciprocation within said b'ore, said plunger having a vacuum passage in `communication with said vacuum connecting means, and an air passage in communication with the atmosphere, a plurality of recessed vacuum channels provided in the outer peripheral surface of said valve plunger, said vacuum channels extending axially Abeing circumferentially spaced with respect to each other, said vacuum channels including first portions in communication with the vacuum connecting means and second portions spirally oifset with respect togsaid iirstportions, a'plurality of recessed air channels providedf the outer 'peripheralY` surfacev of.. said plunger; said l air channels-being cire cumferentially spaced with respectfto-'eachot-lier, the. air channels including: rstgportion's and second. portions spirally offset? with; respecty to Said rst portionsgttheiirstand second pier-tions ofisaidfai-rfcliannelsbeingin communication with the: air: passage;j anclfV means for)Y rotating vand movingy said: plunger: axiallyf therebyv alternately connecting sai-id vacuum' and-f air channels/'with said-first and second= vacuum and air connecL tionswherebyvacuum isf directed=to onefofl said connections and:y air' tofthe f other.

61. For a:y pipeline 'ushing' device: including'. first and:i secondA containers; apipeline to bef ushd connected to saidv containers. and first and? sce: ondf Vacuuin and i airif conduits respectively don-2 neoted to sai-d rst. and second; containers; said Vacuum and'` air? conduits:being-'adapted iwal-V ter'Iia-te'l-y connect' to a@ source: of: vamiunif` and atmosphere; a vactiuin'andI air regulatingideifice comprising-l va cylindrical' casing? having; an" clon; gated bore',- vac'uumf connecting: rxeansadapted toconnect one endaof said bore toa" source:` of. vacuum; sai-d vboref'havingl itsfotherfend coin: rnu'nication with" the atmosphere; a rsti Vacuum andf air' connectionon` said casing adaptedt to communicate with: said.:` rst conduit?. a ysecond vacuum and air,A connection adapted: to mu'nicateV Withf said second conduit-,` vali/'e plunger positioned for"recipro'cation.Withiri said borensaid plunger' having a';\'fa:iiurxrE passage; in communication with-f said` vactaiiny connecting; means',. and; an" air-f passage communication Withth'ev atrnospliere;A @p'luralityfo'ff vac: urm'rfy channels: provided.` the?A outer? per/1o* eral surface'- of Valve" plunger', said;I vaca channels extending, axially and' beirig" cfc ferentiallyfspaced Witliirespectt -ea'chot Y vacuum channels-i cludi'rig'stportions-lr corail municaticnrwith the, vacuumb ecnneetin means" and?secondiportions?spirallyl onset wit rspe t toisa'idfirstlpoitionsgla plurality-of r'ces :di/air channels'provi'ded i out periti faire oil` said plunger directed: to one of said connection= arid air* to' the-othen V 7a Foriaaiiipelineushingl deviceinclici st and second containers, a pipeline to Eie"l1is`liedi connected to said containers, and first and second,V vacuum' and air cnduit's'l4 respectively connected to l said rlrstandy second containers, said vacuum ad air" conduits being adapted to alternatelico'nnect to a sourceiofftfacuum andA atmoslie.;"ra valium-mand ai-rregulating devicecorri- Iii'lising-iaA cylindrical-.casinflhaviig an elongated bore, vacuum connecting means adapted to connect one end of said bore to a source of vacuum, said bore having its other end in communication with the atmosphere, a rst Vacuum and air connection on said casing adapted to communicate with said rst conduit, a second vacuum and air connection adapted to communicate with said second conduit, a valve plunger positioned commentati-'etsen for reciprocation- Within saidbore; said plunger havingl a vacuum passage in communication with said vacuum' connecting means and an passage in,y communication-With thev atmospheregfa pluralityy of recessed vaeuum. channels y provided in the outerV peripheral` surface of' said valve plunger-,- saidvaeuum channels extending'. axially and being'y circumferential-ly spaced with respect tof each other,. said* Vacuum chan-nelsv including first-portions irl-communicationWithjhevacuulm connecting means and'z Second portions l spirally offset-- with.- respectl to saidifi-rst portions,` a plurality,v of' recessed air' channels` provided.` in the cuter.V peripheral surface of-. saideplunger, said air cha-nnelsbein-gcircumferentially spaced yWith/ret s -pect to'eacli other', the-air. channels includ-ing rst portions and second portions spirallyolif set l with respect` to saidl rst portions, the first and' second: portionsyof said air channels being in communication with the air passage, .said .bore olthe casing including.4 a vacuuinchamber'- posi-J tioned adjacent, oneend.l off saidplunger, said chamber bei-ngin cor nm-unical;ion.A withA said Vacnum passage andsaid-vacuum connecting means,l said plungerv being movable-in-'re'sponse yto vacuuml insaidchamber ariiially rand rotatably, thereby alternatelif conne ng. saidY vacuum and air channelsyvith sacl'r-st and second vacuum and air connections Wleiebnvacuurn is alter'- nately ciir'et ed to one` of Said"connctoiisl and airto the othef. l l n v 8. For a pipeline niis'lig device including first and `secondl containers; a pipeline to" be fiusl'id' aidfrst ands Jger reciproca ly maV rotatamy positioned sai-d: eharmuer;

neared rosada fst an pr a' cylindrical" c'a lla-ving av'ajcujinf cria'mber; vciuri'tcloiictiirg riieians adapted to connect said vacuum chamber with a source of vacuum, rst and second vacuum and air connections on said casing, a plunger reciprocably and rotatably positioned Within said chamber, said plunger having a vacuum passage in communication with the vacuum chamber, a vacuum channel on said plunger in communication with the vacuum passage, an air channel on said plunger in communication with the atmosphere, said channels being disposed to alternately register with the vacuum and air connections during rotation and reciprocating movement of said plunger', said plunger being movable in one direction in response to vacuum within said chamber, and means between said casing and said plunger for rotating said plunger during reciprocation whereby vacuum is directed to said first connection and air is directed to said second connection, and biasing means for moving said plunger in a second direction whereby said plunger is moved and rotated and air is directed to said first connection, and vacuum is directed to said second connection.

10. For a pipeline flushing device including rst and second containers, a pipeline to be ilushed connected to said containers, and iirst and second vacuum and air conduits respectively connected to said first and second containers, said vacuum and air conduits being adapted to alternately connect to a source of vacuum and atmosphere; a vacuum and air regulating device comprising a cylindrical casing having a vacuum chamber, vacuum connecting means adapted to connect said vacuum chamber with a source of Vacuum, iirst and second vacuum and air connections on said casing, a plunger reciprocably and rotatably` positioned within said chamber, said plunger having a vacuum passage in communication with the vacuum chamber, a vacuum channel on said plunger in communication with the vacuum passage and an air channel on said plunger in communication with the atmosphere, said channels being disposed to alternately register with the vacuum and air connections during rotation and reciprocation of said plunger, said plunger being movable axially in response to vacuum within said chamber, and means connected between said casing and said plunger for rotating said plunger during reciprocation.

11. For a pipeline flushing device including first and second containers, a pipeline to be flushed connected to said containers, and rst and second vacuum and air conduits respectively connected to said rst and second containers, said vacuum and air conduits being adapted to alternately connect to a source of vacuum and atmosphere; a vacuum and air regulating device comprising a cylindrical casing having a vacuum chamber, vacuum connecting means adapted to connect said vacuum chamber with a source of vacuum, first and second vacuum and air connections on said casing, a plunger reciprocably and rotatably positioned within said chamber, said plunger having a vacuum passage in communication with the vacuum chamber, a vacuum channel on said plunger in communication with the vacuum passage and an air channel on said plunger in communication with the atmosphere, said channels being disposed to alternately register with the vacuum and air connections 6 during rotation and reciprocation of said plunger, said plunger being movable axially in response to vacuum Within said chamber, and camming ymeans disposed between said casing and said plunger for rotating said plunger in response to said axial movement.

12. For a pipeline flushing device including rst and second containers, a pipeline to be ilushed connected to said container, and first and second vacuum and air conduits respectively connected to said first and second containers, said vacuum and air conduits being adapted to alternately connect to a source of vacuum and atmosphere; a vacuum and air regulating device comprising a cylindrical casing having a vacuum chamber, vacuum connecting means adapted to connect said vacuum chamber with a source of vacuum, rst and second vacuum and air connections on said casing, a plunger reciprocably and rotatably positioned within said chamber, said plunger having a vacuum passage in communication with the vacuum chamber, a vacuum channel on said plunger in communication with the vacuum passage and an air channel on said plunger in communication with the atmosphere, said channels being disposed to alternately register with the vacuum and air connections during rotation and reciprocation of said plunger, said plunger being movable axially in response to vacuum within said chamber, an irregular cam track circumferentially disposed around said plunger, and a cam follower on said casing engaging said cam for rotating said plunger in response to said axial movement.

13. For a pipeline flushing device including first and second containers, a pipeline to be flushed connected to said containers, and rst and second vacuum and air conduits respectively connected to said iirst and second containers, said vacuum and air conduits being adapted to alternately connect to a source of vacuum and atmosphere; a vacuum and air regulating device comprising a cylindrical casing having a vacuum chamber, vacuum connecting means adapted to connect said vacuum chamber with a source of vacuum, irst and second vacuum and air connections on said casing, a plunger reciprocably and rotatably positioned within said chamber, said plunger having a vacuum passage in communication with the vacuum chamber, a vacuum channel on said plunger in communication with the vacuum passage and an air channel on said plunger in communication with the atmosphere, said channels being disposed to alternately register with the vacuum and air connections during rotation and reciprocation of said plunger, said plunger being movable axially in response to vacuum within said chamber, a saw tooth shaped cam track circumferentially recessed in said plunger, and a cam follower` on said casing engaging said cam track for rotating said plunger in response to said axial movement.

Dinesen May 17, 1932 Anderson Aug. 25, 1953 Number 

